New study abroa_d program to start early Employment preparation essential for job interviews

According to John Heiberger, business department chair, it is not enough to just explain why a person would be a critical part of the business world, a prospective employee has to think critically and support their proposal. Right now the business world is looking for a varied and diverse group of people.

In the business field today, one must have the basic skills, but more importantly he or she must be able "to express them well with technical language, written and oral," Heiberger said. It is vital to have interpersonal skiUs, thatway employers know what one wants.

In accordance with Heiberger, the best way to find a job in the business field would be working with Co-op and Career Services. They have electronic databases that allow companies to look at your resumes online. Therefore, companies can come looking for and match one's skills and experience with their expectations. Another way would be going to job fairs. "Companies are always looking to hire new people atjob fairs," Heiberger said.

Cabrini offers three business clubs that would advance one's experience and creditability. They include finance, accounting and human resources. These clubs will help prepare students for interviews and make sure they have a well-prepared resume. Heiberger also advises business majors to talk to their advisors about their resumes because they may have particular tips and information about the major that employers are looking for.

Professional chapters, such as activities like corporate dining for succes are also important to get involved with and participate in. At this function, students are taught how to act during a corporate dinner or interview.

When it comes time for the job search and interviewing process, Heiberger said, ''students need to research the companies you are interested in." It is essential that one calls them and asks questions or checks out their website. This way it is easier to get the company interested in a future employee when one personalize stheir skills to show them how they match their company.

After the interview, it is important to keep in touch and let them know you are still interested. Send the person that interviewed the prospective employee a thank you letter followed up by a call in a couple of weeks to check on their progress and see if they hired anyone for the position yet.

LEANNE PANTONE NEWS EDITOR

Since there is such a strong interest in the program, the starting date for the study abroad program at the University of Notre Dame in Australia has been moved up a year. Instead of starting in the spring semester of 2005, it will begin in the spring of 2004.

The program, which has been in development for the past year, will be finalized and the formal agreement between Cabrini and the University of Notre Dame in Australia will be signed by President Antoinette Iadarola, Vice President of Academic Affairs, Jonnie Guerra and Peta Sanderson, the study abroad coordinator at the University of Notre Dame in Australia on Monday, March 31.

Sanderson will be giving three presentations on campus on Monday, two will be for students who are interested in the program and the third will be for faculty. The first student presentation will be held at 2 p.m. in the President's Hospitality Suite in the Dixon Center and at the other will be held at 8 p.m. on the second floor lounge of New Residence Hall. Students have the option of choosing which one will fit in best with their schedules. Sanderson will speak to faculty at 4 p.m. in President's Hospitality Suite in the Dixon Center about the program so ''those faculty who are advisers will know how to advise those students who are interested in the program," Dr. Nicholas Uliano, study abroad coordinator, said.

This program is unique because, like tbe study abroad program in Rome, it is no longer run in conjunction with Arcadia, but it is managed directly with Cabrini.

The session for the Australian program runs from January to June. "The students arrive in the middle of the Australian summer," Uliano said. "In these uncertain times, Australia is a safe and lovely place to be."

Renee Cain, who is currently studying abroad in Australia, would "recommend studying abroad in Australia to anyone who is interested." Outside of the classroom, Cain "chased kangaroos, met tons of awesome people, went hiking through rocks and saw some awesome scenery," she said.

This program is different than that other study abroad programs because "it appeals to a wide variety of majors," Uliano said. Any student in any major can study abroad in Australia.

All students are required to enroll in a course called Environmental Ecology, which is a four-week long class. The first two weeks are spent in lecture and workshop and the remaining two weeks are spent aboard the STS Leeuwin. The advantage of this program is that it "combines practical experience and education," Uliano said.

Students who attend the program will attend the commencement ceremonies at the University of Notre Dame in June and will be given a certificate indicating completion in the study abroad program, according to Uliano.

Study abroad "changes a person's perspectives and views on the world and makes he or she a much more complete person," Uliano said.